Fastener for shoe-laces.



Patented Iuly 9, I90I.

.1. B jnooPEn. FASTENER FUR SHOE LACES.

{Application led In'. 28, 1901.) (No Model.)

UNITEDY STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

JAMES B. HOOPER, OF MELROSE, MASSACHUSETTS.

FASTENER FOR SHOE-LACES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 678,107, dated July 9,1901.

Y Application filed March 26,1901. `Serial No. 52,928. (No model.)

To all whom it' may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES B. HOOPER, acitizen of the United States, anda resident of Melrose, county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts,have invented an Improvement in Fasteners for Strings, Shoe-Laces, &c.,of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representinglike parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a simple, cheap, andeffective device of novel construction for fastening or holding in placethe free or loose end of a shoe-lace, glove, or corset-string withoutthe aid of knots or enlargements in the lace or string.

The fastener can be readily applied to the shoe-upper or other analogousarticle, and cooperates preferably with the endmost eyelet of the seriesthrough which the lace passes. l Figure l is an inner side view of thefront iiaps of a shoe-upper or other analogous article with oneembodiment of my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsectional view through the fabric and the attached fastener, the latterbeing shown in locking position. Fig. 3 is a like View, but with thefastener unlocked to release the lace or string. Fig. 4 is aview of amodified form of fastener in use, and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectionthereof. n

Referring to Figs. 1,2, and 3, the fastener consists of a thin liatmetallic plate orbody a, preferably decreasing in Width toward one endand having projecting therefrom at its under side or facea rigidlocking-prong a',

preferably made slightly `tapering or frustoconical, as shown in Figs. 2and 3. The larger end a2 of the body has a hole a3 therein to receive aneyelet e, of usual construction, by means of which the body is securedto the supporting fabric.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the upper ends ofl the front iaps F F of ashoe-upper each provided with a series of lacing-eyelets, through whichthe lace bx is passed, a single lace being shown. The fasteneris appliedto the inner side of one of the flaps, as F, in such af position thatthe prong a' is opposite the endinost eyelet f of the series and theattachingeyelet e may conveniently be the next eyelet of such series.The free end of the lace is passed through the eyeletf from the outsideand when drawn properly taut the free end of the fastener-body ot ispressed against the liap F to force the prong a. into the eyelet f,clamping or wedging the lace tightly therein, as in Fig. 2. Manifestlystrain on the lace will only serve to 'more firmly wedge the prong andthe lace into the eyelet, while to release the lace a pull on its freeend instantly withdraws the prong, as in Fig. 3, the resiliency of thebody a permitting such withdrawal. It will be noticed that whenthefastener is in use it lies perfectly at against the ap and presentsno obstruction or enlargement to annoy the wearer of the shoe. Ifdesired, the attached end of the fastenerbody may be inserted beneaththe lining m through a slit mx, Fig. 1, and the breadth of the body asit rests against the supporting fabric provides for a firm support. Toapply the fastener to a completed shoe, the second eyelet from the endof the series can be removedand replaced by the attaching-eyelet e, or asmaller eyelet may be used to attach' tion wherein the thin flatresilient body d has i at its free end the locking-prong ol', as before;but the opposite end is sharpened to form an attaching-prong d2, whichis pressed into the supporting fabric F and clenched, and at or near themiddle vof the bodya second pointed attaching-prong d3 is struck up,said prong d3 passing through the fabric and being clenched oppositelyto the prong cl2. In this case the fastener is so located that itslocking-prong d7 will be in position to enter the lace-eyelet fX toclamp the lace b therein.

The fastener may be used on shoes, gloves, corsets, or other articleswherein a fastening string or lace'is employed, and it may also be usedin connection with a bag-tie, as will be readily understood.

The fastener is .exceedingly simple .in construction, and it can beeasily and cheaply made. As it has no joints, hinges, or otherrelatively movable parts, it is very stron g and durable and cannot getout of order.

IOO

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent` is- 1. A fastener` for shoe-laces and thelike, comprisinga Hat resilient metallic body adapted to rest at one enddirectly upon the shoeupper or analogous article, and having at its freeend a locking-prong projecting from its under side and adapted to enteranrordinary lacing-eyelet and clamp or wedge therein the lace or stringpassed therethrough, and means independent of the said eyelet forsecuring the end of the body directly to the shoe-upper or analogousarticle.

2. A fastener for shoe-laces and the like, comprisingaflat resilientmetallic bod yadapted to rest at one end directly upon the shoeupper oranalogous article, and having at its JAMES B. IIOOPER.

Witnesses:

JOHN J. KEATING, D. K. CALLAMORE.

